“I suppose this marks the next 11 years of their life,” said proud Dumbarton dad William Cameron as he watched his five-year-old twin boys step into their school uniform for the first time.

“It’s a huge milestone!”

Identical twins William and John are all set to start school at Aitkenbar Primary this week and are one set of 14 twins starting in school in West Dunbartonshire this year - nine of which are from Dumbarton and the Vale.

The day is extra special for parents William and Olha as their boys, who were born four weeks premature, have worked especially hard to get ready for their first day.

“It’s unbelievable because you remember them being born and that feels like just yesterday,” said William.

“Everything compiles into a short space of time.

“They are both a little behind with development due to being born premature but that’s something we all go through together.

“There were long periods of thinking nothing was happening and then all of a sudden they would get a burst of development.

“Because they are twins I think they almost compete with each other. If one is lagging behind they catch up with the other and that has really helped.”

William and John also have proud grandparents in Ukraine who are desperate to hear all the news of the boys’ first school day.

William and John

“They want us to send them all the pictures,” said Olha. “They are so proud.”

The day was also a milestone for Bonhill twins Robbie and Macie McAllister who are getting ready for their first day at St Mary’s Primary in Alexandria.

Proud dad Robert told the Lennox Herald: “They are so excited. It’s a bit of an end of an era with them finishing nursery.

“Robbie was very, very quiet and Macie has always been the loudest.

But Robbie has really come out his shell. I think the staff at Dalmonach Nursery have been fantastic with him. It’s funny to see so many sets of twins together, they are friends with a few other twins but it is rare to see so many.”

Macie and Robbie will be joined in Primary One at St Mary’s by four-year-olds Joshua and Aaron Wilson.

Mum Lynne said they boys have been taking the transition from nursery to school in their stride.

Robbie and Macie

“I cannot believe how quick it has all gone,” she said. “The last six months have been busy with the end of nursery and then getting them ready.

“But they are totally laid back about it. We completed the uniform shop this week and last night they had a little fashion show.

“One of the hardest things has been picking out the backpacks. I wanted them to get different ones because, although they are identical twins, they do have their own identity, they are still individuals.”

Karen Conaghan, the council’s convener of education, said: “Firsts are always special and the first day of school is something which is memorable to most. Being able to share that with a brother or sister makes it even better.

“I wish every child starting school this year, as well as every youngster returning after the summer holidays, all the very best for the future.”

Vice education convenor Caroline McAllister added: “Primary school should be the best and most enjoyable time in our lives and I’m sure these twins and every child starting school this year will have a wonderful time.”

-- Is your wee one starting school this year? Send us a picture of their first day along will full name, what school they are starting to news@lennoxherald.co.uk and we’ll print it in the paper.